Posted on 02/06/2007 8:45:52 AM PST by Froufrou
Gov. Rick Perry stood firm Monday against a political firestorm ignited by his order that sixth-grade girls be inoculated against a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical cancer.
Social conservatives from Austin to Washington joined some state lawmakers in calling for Perry to reverse his executive order making Texas the first state to mandate the human papillomavirus vaccine for girls entering sixth grade in September 2008.
Several legislators expressed outrage that Perry circumvented the legislative process. Several bills had been filed to make the HPV shots mandatory for school enrollment.
"This needs closer examination. How much will it cost the state?" Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville, said at a news conference.
"Most importantly, as a mother of four daughters I want to make sure our daughters' health is protected and parental rights are preserved."
Another senator, Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, said he'd file legislation to reverse Perry's order, which he said was not in the best interest of the state.
Parents will be able to opt their 11- and 12-year-old daughters out of the program, as they can for other required vaccines.
As speculation swirled about why Perry risked angering his conservative base, political observers said the governor is showing newfound independence and may be trying to raise his national profile as a potential vice presidential candidate.
The governor's spokesman also indicated that first lady Anita Perry's strong support for the vaccine might have played a role in the decision. A former nurse and the daughter of a doctor, Anita Perry works for an organization dealing with sexual assaults.
"I know they have discussed it, and it's something they both feel very strongly about," the spokesman, Robert Black, said.
In a statement, Perry addressed criticism that the vaccine could send a message that teenage sex is permissible.
"Providing the HPV vaccine doesn't promote sexual promiscuity any more than providing the Hepatitis B vaccine promotes drug use," he said.
"If the medical community developed a vaccine for lung cancer, would the same critics oppose it claiming it would encourage smoking?"
Perry's office said it would cost the state $29 million for its share of inoculating students who are uninsured or on government health programs. Federal funds also will be available for children on Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Federal health authorities last year recommended girls and young women get the vaccine, which prevents infection by four common strains of the HPV virus, which can cause cervical cancer years after infection.
Cervical cancer accounts for 3,700 deaths a year in the United States, including nearly 400 in Texas.
House Ways and Means Chairman Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, said he supports the vaccine but noted that other state legislatures have decided not to make it mandatory.
"What kind of deal was made?" asked Keffer, referring to comments by Cathie Adams, president of Texas Eagle Forum, that Perry's political ties with drug company Merck may have influenced the decision.
Perry's office has denied he was influenced by anything other than health concerns. His ex-chief of staff, Mike Toomey, is a lobbyist for Merck and Perry got $6,000 in contributions from the drug manufacturer's political action committee.
Black said Perry and Toomey never discussed the issue, and noted the Merck campaign contributions were relatively small.
"The governor is very pro-life, and he views this as protecting life," Black said. "The human race has never had an opportunity to prevent cancer. Not to pursue that opportunity, the governor believes that would be morally reprehensible."
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick both said Perry did not consult them. Craddick said he didn't have a position on the issue. Dewhurst said he would prefer a voluntary vaccination program.
GOP consultant Royal Masset said he thinks Perry wants to be considered as a national leader. Perry talked about international terrorism and immigration reform in his inaugural address.
"Health care is one of the most powerful issues we're going to be dealing with nationally," Masset said.
Meanwhile, a Christian group knocked the Texas governor in a Washington update mailed to supporters Monday.
Tony Perkins with Family Research Council said, "By commandeering this issue, Gov. Perry, who has championed family values, has only succeeded in arousing more mistrust."
There were also a few cases of 'bronchospasm' and asthma attributed to the series of 3 shots given over a 6-month period of time.
Someone here posted on my other thread yesterday that they have a nephew who had a terrible reaction to a vaccine. This is serious business, not a miracle drug.
I'll take your word on it for now. The actual transference and infection of the unrelated sickness you described remains suspect to me however.
Some people are happy to 'no big deal' their way through life.
And some prefer to study more than surface aspects of a situation before imparting judgment, eh Nathan?
Why? This "vaccine" does not prevent either of those. And, of the 4 strains (3 cancer, 2 warts) it does have effect on, it also MAY not work. The companies own literature says this.
Peopel who work for the company who makes this are big Gov Goodhair contributors.
It is about 70% effective, roughly the same as flu shots.
Everyone I've talked to has a problem with the "brotherinlaw deal" part of this as well as the "bypassing legislative process and discussing costs, budgeting, etc." part of it moreso than the issue of whether the idea of the vaccine itself is good or bad.
Thanks for the link.
Women Misinformed About HPV-Cancer Link
Media Coverage of HPV Testing Blurs Cervical Cancer Link
SNIP
Stressing the Truths About HPV
In an editorial that accompanies the studies, Bradley J. Monk, MD, of the University of California at Irvine, and colleagues say these studies highlight the public's misconceptions about the association between HPV and cervical cancer.
"Their findings suggest that it is little wonder that the public is informed so inadequately about the virus, the consequences of infection, and the natural history of cervical [cancer]," they write.
The editorialists say that the first step in improving the public's knowledge of HPV is to clearly state the truths about HPV infection, stressing six basic points:
They most likely are. The female vaccine is available now.
Stick that profile out a little further, boy.
I want it smacked HARD!
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Parents will be able to opt their 11- and 12-year-old daughters out of the program, as they can for other required vaccines.
As posted earlier, this is a lie;
Texas Education Code
CHAPTER 38. HEALTH AND SAFETY
§ 38.001. IMMUNIZATION; REQUIREMENTS; EXCEPTIONS.
SUBCHAPTER B. SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS § 38.053. PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIRED.
(a) A school-based health center may provide services to a student only if the district or the provider with whom the district contracts obtains the written consent of the student's parent or guardian or another person having legal control of the student on a consent form developed by the district or provider.
The State has to GET consent, it can't ASSUME consent and make the parent prove differently.
This edict is illegal on a lot of levels. Just sent 2 detailed letters to Reps via email.
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Parental duty calls, I'll check back later.
Thanks for the ping!
No, ma'am. You are wrong. Only 6th-grade girls are mandated for the vaccine.
They could in a sense.
Women would think they are immune and continue spreading it around, thinking they were 'vaccinated'. Memember the old song'
"kissing causes germs;
germs are hated;
but kiss me baby;
I'm vaccinated!
look haw many actually believe this vaccine will cure HPV already, when in fact it MAY only prevent TWO cancer causing strains. A regular check up and pap smear can prevent all of them.
I don't answer to ma'am, and your point is irrelevant with regard to this disease.
The program allows parents to opt out.
"It may also give uniformed women a false sense of security, and they would forgo regular pap smears. This 'vaccine' may end up causing more cancer than it saves."
Ludicrous. You have probably gotten at least 6 different vaccines in your life, more if you are much of an international traveler. Have you ever thought to yourself, "Well I got that yellow fever shot last year when I went to South Africa, surely I can skip my yearly check-up with my family doctor."
It depends. If you know your child is not sexually active, then why give them a vaccine.
If the risks for the vaccine is high, and the benefits low then why give a child the vaccine.
If the vaccine has not been tested much on children, then why give them the vaccine.
Also, I absolutely would not make it mandatory because HIV is not an airborne disease. I can go into a room with a person with HIV and not catch it. Other illnesses like measle, you only have to be in the room with someone to catch it.
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